The Normal Newborn: Adaptation, Assessment, and Care

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers essential terms, physiological adaptations, and assessment findings for the normal newborn based on the provided lecture notes.

Asphyxia

A condition characterized by low blood oxygen and high blood and tissue carbon dioxide.

Bilirubin

An unusable component of hemolyzed erythrocytes that can cause staining of the skin and sclera.

Brown fat

Specialized tissue designed for newborn heat production which is metabolized to generate heat.

Jaundice

The staining of the skin and sclera caused by bilirubin.

Lanugo

Fine hair covering the fetus.

Neutral thermal environment

An environment in which an infant can maintain a stable temperature with minimal oxygen consumption and a low metabolic rate.

Strabismus

A condition commonly referred to as “crossed” eyes.

Surfactant

A slippery fluid that reduces surface tension in lung alveoli to keep them partly open between breaths.

Candidiasis

A fungal infection, also known as thrush, typically observed in the newborn's mouth.

Pseudo menstruation

A white mucous or blood-tinged vaginal discharge in female newborns resulting from the withdrawal of maternal hormones.

Cephalhematoma

A collection of blood between the periosteum and the skull that does not cross suture lines.

Caput succedaneum

Localized edema on the newborn's scalp that occurs from pressure during childbirth.

Choanal atresia

A congenital blockage of the posterior passages of the nose.

Syndactyly

The webbing or fusion of fingers or toes.

Polydactyly

The presence of extra digits on the hands or feet.

Epstein’s pearls

Small white papules commonly found on the newborn's palate or gums.

Vernix caseosa

A white, cheeselike substance that covers and protects the fetus's skin in utero.

Functional residual capacity

The residual air in the lungs that allows alveoli to remain partially expanded after exhalation, reducing the work of breathing.

Evaporation

Heat loss that occurs when wet surfaces are exposed to air and dry conditions.

Conduction

The transfer of heat (gain or loss) through direct contact with a surface, such as a cold scale or warm blanket.

Convection

Heat loss or gain resulting from air currents moving near the infant.

Radiation

The transfer of heat to or from a nearby surface without direct contact, such as a cold window or warm incubator walls.

Vitamin K

A nutrient necessary for blood coagulation that is administered prophylactically because newborns lack the intestinal flora to synthesize it.

Meconium

The first stool excreted by a newborn, which is greenish-black, thick, and sticky.

Hypoglycemia

A neonatal condition defined by a blood glucose level lower than $40\,mg/dL$.

Pathologic jaundice

Jaundice that appears before 24 hours of age, involves a bilirubin increase greater than $5\,mg/dL/day$, or persists beyond the second week of life.

Acrocyanosis

A normal finding in newborns where the skin color is pink except for bluish discoloration of the hands and feet.

Erythema toxicum

A common newborn rash characterized by red, blotchy areas with white or yellow papules in the center.

Mongolian spots

Blue-black marks usually found over the sacral area, more common in dark-skinned infants.

Nevus flammeus

A port-wine stain; a flat, purplish skin area that does not blanch with pressure.

Café-au-lait spots

Light-brown skin spots; the presence of more than six spots or spots larger than $1.5\,cm$ is associated with neurofibromatosis.

Moro reflex

A startle reflex in newborns that can be triggered by sudden movements or loud noises.

Foremilk

The initial, thirst-quenching milk released at the beginning of a breastfeeding session.

Hindmilk

The milk released at the end of a feeding which is higher in fat content.

Mastitis

An infection of the breast tissue.

Milk-ejection reflex

The release of milk from the alveoli into the ducts, also known as the let-down reflex.

Prolactin

The hormone responsible for stimulating the breasts to produce milk.

Oxytocin

The hormone that stimulates the milk-ejection reflex and uterine contractions.